A Manitowoc Tribune reporter wrote,
".there is no stronger vessel than
this. Nothing that would add to its strength has been omitted,
and it is fully expected she will rank as A No. 1 [in insurance
ratings] for seven years. She is certainly a massive craft,
yet from what is said of her and from our knowledge of lake
vessels we would infer there is no spare timber used. Her
sailing qualities will soon be known, therefore we withhold
our judgment as to her merit in that line. If she keeps up
the good name our vessels have already attained she will
have to make fast time." (15 August 1867)
The Fleetwing did indeed keep
her A1 insurance rating for seven years. She spent 21 years
on the lakes, mostly as a "grain clipper," carrying about
20,000 bushels of wheat or corn from Chicago to Buffalo and
often coal or manufactured goods on the return trips. These
highly competitive trips usually took two weeks or more.
Typical crews of vessels like the Fleetwing consisted
of a captain, two mates, a steward (cook), and six to eight
seamen. In her later years, the Fleetwing 's crew
may have been reduced to six or fewer, including the officers
and cook. In 1867, sailor's wages were about $2.25 per day.
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